Keeping kids active: Top fitness programs for kids

This story was originally titled "Class Acts," in the March 2008 issue. Subscribe to Canadian Living today and never miss an issue!

It's no secret that Canada's children are failing at keeping active. Active Healthy Kids Canada, a charity that advocates the importance of physical activity, released a report last summer that gave Canadian kids an F in physical activity levels. It's just one in a long list of organizations addressing the problem.

But all is not lost. Schools across Canada are starting to offer programs with new and innovative ways for kids to be active. Whether it's enjoying the great outdoors, building a buddy system or going all the way with dance classes, more and more students across the country are on the move. Here are just some of the school-based physical activity programs in Canada that get more than a passing grade.

Quebec: Plaisirs d'Hiver
School children in Quebec are warming up to winter with skating and snowshoeing during school hours. A government program, Plaisirs d'Hiver promotes exercise during the cold winter months and encourages schools to plan active events. Last year, 475 elementary schools participated in Plaisirs d'Hiver events that were held at community skating rinks and elsewhere during phys-ed classes, lunch breaks and after school.

In keeping with making physical activity a way of life for Quebec school kids, teachers are encouraged to assign "active homework," says Diane Boudreault, an adviser for the program that oversees Plaisirs d'Hiver. Students are expected to complete physical activity homework by going out with their families to ski, skate or do other winter activities after school. Students usually don't have to pay to participate in Plaisirs d'Hiver events, so it's not only fun, but often free!

Ontario: Canada's National Ballet School
In addition to its well-known professional ballet program, the National Ballet School in Toronto offers dance-related activities to local students and families. There are adult programs as well as after-school ballet and dance classes for kids. Children enrolled in the school's professional ballet program also have access to a swimming pool, workout room and cardio and fitness programs to stay in shape. "The rigours of training today are more intense than ever before," says Mavis Staines, artistic director at the school. "Physical fitness, cardio and flexibility are all key, so all the dance programs include training in the pool… and the boys have quite an intensive upper-body conditioning program."

The professional ballet program trains students from grades 6 to 12, preparing them for a career in dance. Students at the school live on campus and attend classes in tandem with their dance education. The school holds annual auditions across the country.

Nova Scotia: Healthy Living Tax Incentive
Nova Scotian students and their families have the provincial government on their side to help defray the cost of joining school sports teams or other organized physical activities.

The Nova Scotia healthy living tax incentive program provides a family with a credit of up to $500 to help cover the cost of enrolling in one of more than 1,200 registered sports and recreational activities in the province. An estimated 30,000 children benefitted from the program in 2005.

Participating in the program is as simple as checking off a box on a tax form. Just to be sure, keep your receipts.

To be eligible, children must enrol with school sports teams or other recreation programs that have been registered with the provincial government. "We're making sure that kids are safe," explains Farida Gabbani, senior director of physical activity in the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion and Protection.

The Government of Canada recently unveiled a similar plan for all Canadians. Nova Scotians can claim both tax credits on the same recreational expenditure.

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